Applications for Ohio Farm Bureau Health Plans now available
Members have three ways to apply: contacting a certified agent, calling 833-468-4280 or visiting ohiofarmbureauhealthplans.org.
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Greg and Rose Hartschuh of Sycamore are winners of the 2018 American Farm Bureau’s Excellence in Agriculture competition, announced during the AFBF annual meeting in Nashville. The Crawford County couple competed with young farmers and ranchers from around the country for the award.
The Hartschuhs receive a new Ford truck, courtesy of Country Financial, and paid registration to the AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Reno, Nevada, in February.
The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an agricultural operation, but who actively contribute and grow through their involvement in agriculture, their leadership ability and participation in Farm Bureau and other organizations.
Rose Hartschuh is a seed adviser, contributes to the family farm and manages their additional family businesses. Greg is employed full time on his family’s farm, raising corn, soybeans and operating a dairy. The Hartschuhs partnered with two other farm families to revitalize a neglected farm property in Bucyrus, which now offers a farm market in one barn and an event venue in another. In 2017 they launched Acres of Adventure, a nonprofit organization designed to connect consumers with opportunities to experience modern agriculture.
The Hartschuhs served on the Ohio Young Ag Professionals state committee, served as delegates to the state annual meeting, participated in AFBF’s Young Farmers and Ranchers conference and have been engaged with their county and the state Farm Bureau. Other interests include 4-H, their county fair, the Soil and Water Conservation District, Ohio Holstein Association and Crossroads Community Church. They are the parents of two young children.
In 2017 the Hartschuhs organized a caravan of aid for farmers and ranchers devastated by the wildfires in Kansas. They traveled with other Ohio farmers to help those in need and stayed in Kansas for several days.
The Hartschuhs were honored in October as Ohio’s Excellence in Agriculture winners which qualified them for the national contest. At that time they won a John Deere Gator courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America and a $1,000 cash prize sponsored by Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau and the expense paid trip to the AFBF convention.
Two other young Ohioans competed in AFBF competitions. Christian Hoffman of Stoutsville participated in the Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award contest. Danielle Burch of Salem participated in the Discussion Meet contest and placed in the Sweet 16.
This is a news release for use by journalists. Questions should be directed to Joe Cornely, 614-246-8230.
Editors: A high resolution photo is available to accompany this story.
Caption: Pictured (left to right) Greg and Rose Hartschuh, 2018 AFBF Excellence in Agriculture award winners; Zippy Duvall, president, AFBF; Kalena Bruce, 2017 YF&R committee chair; and Doyle J. Williams, chief marketing officer, Country Financial. Photo Credit: American Farm Bureau Federation
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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